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John Williams and the Boston Pops

A 90th Birthday Retrospective (2022)

In January 1980, John Williams was named the 19th conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, succeeding the legendary Arthur Fiedler. At the time of his appointment, the world-renowned film composer was not especially known as a conductor, but he brought to the podium the background, talent, and celebrity to succeed at the daunting assignment. He broadened and updated the Boston Pops’ repertoire, wrote and commissioned new works and arrangements, maintained the popularity of the PBS series Evening at Pops, made numerous best-selling recordings, and toured extensively with the orchestra. Since stepping down as Pops conductor in 1993, Williams has maintained an active relationship with the organization as Boston Pops Conductor Laureate and Artist in Residence at Tanglewood.

John Williams holds a baton while wearing a black turtleneck and a wristwatch

John Williams at Symphony Hall. Photograph by Richard Feldman.

John Williams, ca. 1940

A black and white photograph of a boy wearing a white long-sleeved, button-down shirt and tie, standing in front of some bushes next to an Adirondack chair

John Williams as a boy, ca. 1940. Photographer unknown.

John Williams was born in Flushing, New York in 1932 to Esther and John Williams, Sr., (a jazz drummer who played with the Raymond Scott Quintet). In 1948 he moved with his family to Los Angeles, where he studied piano and composition at UCLA and privately with composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. During his three years in the Air Force, Williams arranged music for and conducted service bands. In 1954, Williams returned to New York to attend the Juilliard School, where he studied piano with Madame Rosina Lhevinne.

John Williams, 1980

Scan of newspaper article with a headshot of John Williams

The Boston Globe announced John Williams' appointment as Conductor of the Boston Pops in January 1980. He was in the midst of writing the score to The Empire Strikes Back, but considered the appointment one of his greatest honors.

Highlights Reel

A black and white photograph of C3PO in costume standing with John Williams on the stage of Symphony Hall

John Williams with Star Wars character C-3PO at Opening Night at Pops, April 29, 1980

For the finale of his first Symphony Hall program as the newly appointed Pops Conductor, John Williams programmed selections from his score to The Empire Strikes Back, and C-3PO and R2-D2 made a surprise visit. Photograph by Janet Knott.

John Williams stands with one arm draped over Stephen Spielberg, who in turn stands next to a seated Itzhak Perlman; all are dressed in casual clothes

John Williams, Steven Spielberg, and violinist Itzhak Perlman

The three were in Symphony Hall during the recording session for the soundtrack of Spielberg’s 1993 motion picture Schindler’s List. In his soundtrack for the film, Williams conducted members of the BSO with Perlman as soloist. Photograph by Miro Vintoniv.

Peter Maxwell Davies, Nancy Crutcher, and John Williams, May 10, 1985

Composer Peter Maxwell Davies fulfilled a commission for the 100th anniversary of the Boston Pops with the work An Orkney Wedding, With Sunrise. Bagpiper Nancy Crutcher performed with the Pops in the world premiere of the work.

John Williams' Premieres by the BSO and Pops

Known world-wide for his film scores, John Williams is also a prolific composer for the concert stage. His decades-long relationship with the Boston Pops (first as conductor and then as conductor laureate) has proved fruitful in generating new works, and both the BSO and Pops have premiered several of Williams' compositions.

Evening at Pops Special Guests: 1980-1993

John Williams conducted the Boston Pops through several Evening at Pops television specials, featuring a star-studded cast of guest musicians from multiple genres. Often these performances were taped live during the Spring Pops season at Symphony Hall, and other times, the performances were special "TV sessions" filmed exclusively for GBH. Performance/filming dates are listed in italics after each guest artist.

  • 1980

    EAP-01-80: Ben Luxon & Nancy Shade, June 11, 1980

    EAP-02-80: Oscar Peterson, May 8, 1980

    EAP-03-80: Marilyn Horne, May 2, 1980

    EAP-04-80: Ray Charles, May 22, 1980

    EAP-05-80: Liona Boyd, May 13, 1980

    EAP-06-80: Mills Brothers, May 25, 1980

    EAP-07-80: Toots Thielemans, May 28, 1980

    EAP-08-80: Burgess Meredith & surprise Star Wars characters C-3PO and R2-D2, April 29, 1980

  • 1981

    EAP-09-81: Andy Williams, May 27, 1981

    EAP-10-81: Leontyne Price, June 13, 1981

    EAP-11-81: Cleo Laine and Dankworth Quartet, May 29, 1981

    EAP-12-81: George Benson, June 18, 1981

    EAP-13-81: Itzhak Perlman, June 3, 1981

  • 1982

    EAP-14-82: Kings’ Singers, May 18, 1982

    EAP-15-82: Rich Little, May 4, 1982

    EAP-16-82: Nathaniel Rosen, May 7, 1982

    EAP-17-82: Bernadette Peters, June 22, 1982

    EAP-18-82: Nell Carter & the Abyssinian Baptist Church Choir, June 18, 1982

    Christmas at Pops, December 21, 1982

  • 1983

    EAP-19-83: John Williams himself on harpsichord accompanying BSO violinists in Vivaldi's Concerto for Four Violins, June 15, 1983

    EAP-20-83: Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, taped May 20, 1983 & June 6, 1983

    EAP-21-83: Marvin Hamlisch, May 3, 1983

    EAP-22-83: Canadian Brass, June 23, 1983

    EAP-23-83: Gregory Hines, May 7, 1983

    EAP-24-83: Peter, Paul and Mary, June 25, 1983

  • 1984

    EAP-25-84: Live from the Esplanade (no special guests), July 4, 1984

    EAP-26-84: Wynton Marsalis & Sarah Vaughan, May 1, 1984

    EAP-27-84: Manhattan Transfer, May 11, 1984

    EAP-28-84: Jessye Norman, May 16, 1984

    EAP-29-84: Tony Bennett, May 25, 1984

  • 1985

    #7001: John Denver & the Pops Centennial Chorus, filmed at Lincoln Memorial, D.C., July 14, 1985

    #7002: James Galway & Cleo Laine, April 30, 1985

    #7003: Yo-Yo Ma, May 16, 1985

    #7004: Joan Baez, May 29, 1985

    #7005: Katia & Marielle Labeque, June 8, 1985

  • 1986

    #8001: Natalie Cole and Johnny Mathis: A Musical Tribute to Nat King Cole, May 10, 1986

    #8002: Mel Tormé and George Shearing, May 30, 1986

    #8003: Kiri Te Kanawa, May 17, 1986

    #8004: Victor Borge, June 7, 1986

    #8005: Richard Stoltzman & Joe Williams, May 6, 1986

    #8006: The Vienna Boys' Choir (Christmas Pops Show), December 20, 1985

  • 1987

    #9002: Johnny Cash (A Boston Pops Fourth), July 4, 1987

    (All other shows from 1987 were compilation shows from previous years.)

  • 1988

    #9007: Andre Watts & Frederica von Stade, June 5, 1987

    #9008: Smothers Brothers & Mason Williams, May 24, 1988

    #9009: Tommy Tune & Manhattan Rhythm Kings, May 16, 1988

    #9010: Sammy Davis, Jr., May 18, 1987

    #9011: Dionne Warwick, May 5, 1988

    #9012: Perry Como, May 13, 1988

  • 1989

    #1201: Art Buchwald, Roberta Peters & Robert Merrill (20th Anniversary Gala), June 13, 1989

    #1202: Andre Previn, May 30, 1989 & Eddie Daniels, May 23, 1989

    #1203: Carol Channing, May 23, 1989

    #1204: Mandy Patinkin & Barbara Cook, June 12, 1989

    #1205: Branford Marsalis & Kathleen Battle, May 11, 1989

    #1206: Loretta Lynn & Crystal Gale, May 16, 1989

  • 1990

    #1301: Melissa Manchester & Stan Getz, May 15, 1990

    #1302: Maureen McGovern & Toots Thielemans, May 9, 1990

    #1303: Bobby McFerrin, May 21, 1990 & Anne Akiko Meyers, May 9, 1990

    Christmas at Pops: Barbara Hendricks, Edward Asner, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, the American Boychoir, Landis and Company Theatre of Magic, Bells of Boston, Youth pro Musica, & the Trotter Concert Chorus, December 20, 1989

  • 1991

    #1401: Beatrice Arthur, June Anderson, George Dvorsky, Jason Graae, Howard McGillin, Debbie Shapiro (Bernstein’s Broadway), May 20, 1991

    #1402: Patti Austin & James Ingram, June 6, 1991

    #1403: The Chieftains & Burgess Meredith, May 14, 1991

    #1404: Randy Newman & Leila Josefowicz, May 8, 1991

    #1405: John Denver, May 28, 1991

    #1406: Shirley Verrett, Odetta, Roscoe Lee Browne, & Boys Choir of Harlem (Songs of Freedom), taped May 14, 1991 & May 15, 1991

  • 1992

    #1501: Bonnie Raitt & John Raitt, May 18, 1992 & Mark O’Connor, May 11, 1992

    #1502: Anne Murray & Robert Bonfiglio, May 19, 1992

    #1503: Tony Bennett & Michel Legrand, May 21, 1991

    #1505: Tyne Daley & Sarah Chang, May 7, 1992

    #1506: Jerry Hadley & Thomas Hampson, May 11, 1992

  • 1993

    #1601: Richard Dreyfuss (host), Henry Mancini, Christopher Reeve, Aretha Franklin, & Jessye Norman (John Williams Gala), May 12, 1993

    #1602: James Taylor, May 25, 1993

    #1604: Shirley Horn & Arturo Sandoval, May 18, 1993

    #1606: Rosemary Clooney & Linda Ronstadt, May 24, 1993

The John Williams and Boston Pops Digital Jukebox

Listen to snippets of recordings John Williams has made over the years with the Boston Pops Orchestra!

Below, see the full collection of albums that John Williams has recorded with the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Not pictured:

BSO Classics Digital Download, January 29, 2013
John Williams: Oboe Concerto
Boston Pops Orchestra/John Williams conducting, with Keisuke Wakao
Recorded May 25, 2011 (world premiere performance).

1980s

An orchestra floats in a spherical spaceship, visible through a port hole, with John Williams portrait taped to the front as if in a scrapbook, for the album cover of Pops in Space

Pops in Space. Philips, 1980.

John Williams conducts from center while silhouettes of foot soldiers, musicians, and mounted soldiers parade across empty sheet music on the album cover of Pops on the March

Pops on the March. Philips, 1980.

A gold wreath on a green background on the album cover for We Wish You a Merry Christmas

We Wish You A Merry Christmas. Philips, 1981.

The arms of E.T. and a white child reach for a tub of popcorn while seated in a movie theatre on this album cover for Aisle Seat

Aisle Seat. Philips, 1982.

Cargo is loaded onto an ocean liner on the album cover of Pops Around the World

Digital Overtures: Pops Around the World. Philips, 1982.

A flying saucer reflects a ray of light off its surface as it drifts between planets in space, on the album cover of Out of This World

Out of This World. Philips, 1983.

Two women in leotards and top hats are illuminated by a spotlight as red theater curtains open behind them, for the album cover of Boston Pops On Stage

Boston Pops On Stage. Philips, 1984.

A wolf sits with a French horn on its lap.

Peter and the Wolf. Philips, 1984.

Conductor John Williams stands in tuxedo in front of a Broadway Theatre marquee on the album cover for That's Entertainment

That's Entertainment. Philips, 1985.

Jessye Norman wears a wide-brimmed white summer hat, and a white blouse with frilly trim against a verdant background on the album cover to With a Song in My Heart

With a Song in My Heart. Philips, 1985.

A pair of saddle shoes with music notes streaming out sit against a pale pink square, and pastel blue and yellow background on this album cover for Swing, Swing, Swing

Swing, Swing, Swing. Philips, 1985.

Silhouette of the Statue of Liberty and the Chrysler building on the album cover America, the Dream Goes On

America, the Dream Goes On. Philips, 1985.

Colorful lines make the outline of composer conductor Leonard Bernstein's profile on the album cover Bernstein by Boston

Bernstein by Boston. Philips, 1986.

A pink and mauve rose is sketched on top of an empty bar of music for the album cover Pops in Love

Pops in Love. Philips, 1986.

Seven colorful spheres are set in a grid to represent the seven planets in Holst's musical suite

Holst The Planets. Philips, 1987.

A silhouette of a conductor against a pastel yellow and blue striped background, with pink accents, on the album cover of By Request: The Best of John Williams and the Boston Pops

By Request: The Best of John Williams and The Boston Pops. Philips, 1987.

The Union Jack cross flies behind the title text on the album cover for Pops Britannia

Pops Britannia. Philips, 1988.

A jukebox with confetti in the background sits on a wooden floor on the album cover for Digital Jukebox

Digital Jukebox. Philips, 1988.

An old wooden folding chair supports an American flag, a trombone, a ceremonial red parade jacket with gold braided trim, and a ceremonial parade hat with golden plume, on the album cover for Salute to America

Music of America. Philips, 1988. Re-released on CD as Salute to America by Polygram in 1996.

A silhouette of musical instruments on stage with spotlights waving behind

Salute to Hollywood. Philips, 1989.

1990s and 2000s

A female statue holds a music note aloft, with a star in the background, on the album cover of Pops a la Russe

Pops a la Russe. Philips, 1990.

A stylized piano, clarinet and bass appear to float on the album cover of Pops by George

Pops by George. Philips, 1990.

A spotlight shines through an empty theater and rows of empty theater chairs, behind cut-outs of yellow stars and a crescent moon, on the album of Music of the Night

Music of the Night. CBS/Sony, 1990.

Cartoon soldiers hold flags and instruments as they march on the album cover of I Love a Parade

I Love a Parade. Sony, 1991.

The faces of Stephen Spielberg and John Williams are in the middle while the ET alien, a shark, and Indiana Jones on a horse appear in the lower right corner of this album cover for The Spielberg-Williams Collaboration

The Spielberg-Williams Collaboration. Sony, 1991.

A silver star against a black background stretches across the upper middle while abstract colorful instruments cover the lower third of this album cover for The Very Best of the Boston Pops

The Very Best of the Boston Pops. Philips, 1991.

A bronze sun smiles at the end of a yellow brick road flanked by flowers while a butterfly crosses in front of a rainbow overhead, on the album cover of Over the Rainbow

Over the Rainbow. Philips, 1992.

A circle of light illuminates a leaf on the album cover of The Green Album

The Green Album. Sony, 1992.

A cartoon Santa Claus conducts an orchestra of reindeer performing instruments on the album cover for Joy to the World

Joy to the World. Sony, 1992.

Cartoon animals and people smile at a movie screen bordered by posters of films with John Williams's music - E.T., Raiders, Superman and Star Wars - for the album cover of Kid Stuff

Kids Stuff: An Afternoon at the Movies. Philips, 1992. Illustrations by Gary Baseman.

Art deco style image of a man embracing a woman in front of a city skyline on the album cover of Unforgettable

Unforgettable. Sony, 1993.

A black and white image of a 1940s style microphone fills the center of the album cover for Night and Day: Celebrate Sinatra

Night and Day: Celebrate Sinatra. Sony, 1993.

Stylized outline of a trumpet on the album cover of It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing

It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing. Sony, 1994.

A man wearing glasses and a director's hat speaks through a megaphone, with silhouettes of camera crews and equipment superimposed on the bottom left corner, on the album of Music for Stage and Screen

Music for Stage and Screen Album Cover, Boston Pops Orchestra, John Williams Conductor, Sony, 1994.

One vertical theatre marquee intersects a horizontal marquee spelling out Williams on Williams on the album cover of The Classic Spielberg Scores

Williams on Williams: The Classic Spielberg Scores. Sony, 1995.

A black and white image of a woman in profile posing with one elbow bent and her hand behind her head, on the album cover for Cinema Serenade 2: The Golden Age

Cinema Serenade 2: The Golden Age. Sony, 1999.

A flaming Olympic torch sits against a purplish-blue sunset background, with the NBC Olympic logos in the lower left hand corner, on the album of Summon the Heroes

Summon the Heroes. Sony, 2000.

An American flag waves, cropped to a circular view, on the album cover for American Classics

American Classics. Philips/Eloquence, 2001. This album was a compilation of previously released tracks.

An image of an American flag superimposed over the Broadway street sign with the text John Williams & the Boston Pops Orchestra Encore!

Encore!. Philips, 2004.

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